Tents

Tips for choosing tents and accessories for your camping trips

Items to bring on camping trips vary depending on the destination and who's going with you. Equipment that every camping experience has in common, however, include basics such tents, cooking tools, sleeping bags, a light source, food, cooler, water, sealable freezer bags and garbage bags. Here are some tips on what to add to your kit for three camping experiences that require a little additional preparation.

Beach camping

Camping at the beach gives you instant access to water sports, fishing and swimming. Before you head out, download a tide tracker to your smartphone or become familiar ahead of time with the tides, so you don't get washed out of your campsite. Beach campers find that these other items also come in handy:

• Dustpan and brush to minimize sand on the tent floor


• Sand stakes, which are made to stay put in loose surfaces, to keep your tent firmly grounded


• Source of shade, whether it's a tent with a built-in canopy, a large beach umbrella or a separate pop-up canopy or collapsible sun shelter


• Sun protection for everyone, such as sunblock and wide-brimmed hats


• Tent with a rainfly to shield you from heavy dew or rain showers


• If possible, a tent that's twice the size you need to allow air circulation in the humid environment


• Water filters or purifying tablets if you won't be near a clean water source and can't tote your own water


• Bug repellent


• Clothes for layering, so you're prepared for the changing weather of hot days, cool nights and possible precipitation

Camping with small children

Seasoned camping parents will warn you to expect the unexpected. And remember to pack your child's favorite security blanket, stuffed animal or other comforting item to help ward off jitters about the new experience. Bring along these items as well:

• Tent that's easy to pitch and goes up quickly


• Tent with more interior space to give kids freedom to get their energy out if you're stuck inside due to rain


• Two or more doors on your tent to allow you to enter and exit the tent without waking the kids
  
• Separate rooms in your tent to let the kids sleep while you stay up with the adults and have more privacy


• Portable insect zapper to help keep mosquitoes off the kids


• Lightweight travel high chair to create a spot for baby or your toddler to eat


• Portable playpen for an enclosed, clean and dry space for your child


• Waterproof, battery-operated baby monitor to keep tabs on napping children while you're spending time with the older children or your partner


• Sleeping bags to help kids sleep through the night, which means getting one with a rating lower than the expected lowest temperature


• Clothing that can be layered as the temperature changes throughout the day and night


• Snacks like protein bars, trail mix and dried fruit


• Compact toys and family games to keep kids busy


• A light source, such as an inflatable solar lantern or string lights, to help little ones feel cozy and secure at night

Camping with your dog

Make sure the campground, park, lake, beach or other site allows dogs before you decide where to camp, and then go over all of the site's rules for pets so you know what to expect. Getting preventative medicine for ticks, fleas, heartworms and local insects beforehand saves both you and your dog discomfort later. Update your dog's microchip information, and then pack these items for a great camping trip:

• Collar with your dog's ID tag on it — which should include your cell phone number — and leash to abide by leash regulations when you're out hiking or exploring


• Stake with a lead to secure your dog at your campsite and give it room to move around at the same time


• Pet first aid kit to treat minor cuts, remove thorns and stabilize more serious wounds


• Extra towels to dry your dog off from swims or muddy walks before entering the tent


• Blankets if nights are expected to be cold and portable dog bed for comfort and warmth


• Canopy or pop-up tent to make sure your dog has shade so it doesn't overheat


• Chew toys to keep your dog busy, but not bones since these attract wildlife


• Lightweight or collapsible bowl for water, which you should keep filled


• Dog food and lightweight or collapsible bowl, which should be filled only at meal time to deter other hungry critters from joining your campsite


• Dog waste bags to clean up after your pet every time


• Pet-friendly insect repellent to minimize the transmission of diseases by mosquitoes